When Do Babies Stop Eating Every 3 Hours? Matter of Natural Reflex and Reaction

We mothers know that finally giving birth to your child is not the end to your tiring days. This is because you still need to see to it that you feed them almost every two to three hours. And it’s not just during day time, but during the wee hours of night time too. It surely is very stressful to always hear your baby’s shrieks and cries every night, depriving you of sleep.

Do you experience this situation? If so, there’s really no need to worry because this is perfectly natural. In this article, we’re going to tell you why and when do babies stop eating every 3 hours. So sit back, relax, and learn everything you need to know.

Why Babies Eat so Frequently?

1. Small Stomach Capacity

There are a lot of reasons why your baby regularly eats, almost every hour to be exact. However, one of the most common reasons why they are that way is because they still have a stomach capacity. Babies are not yet fully developed human beings. Their bodies are still underdeveloped, as well as their different bodily systems. Your baby's digestive system is not yet fully developed, which is why they still have a small stomach capacity. You might have also observed that your baby keeps on burping or having mild vomiting.

The reason to that is their digestive tract, along with their stomach, esophagus, and the chemicals inside it, are not yet fully developed. It's with this that they need to keep on continuously eating because their food storage is always metabolized. Their stomach can't hold too much food because of its small size. Thus, they always feel hungry.

2. Need to Gain Body Mass

Another reason why your baby eats every two to three hours is that they need to gain a lot of body mass. The rate of growth and development in human beings is fastest during their infancy, specifically from one to six months old. Your baby's body experiences massive changes in just a span of a few days and weeks. Because of this, you need to feed them with food or milk almost every hour continuously. They need to take in sufficient nutrients to support their growth. Your baby’s metabolism is so fast.

The milk they drink is quickly metabolized and used to strengthen their bones and add bone density and mass. The protein present in there is also used to add muscle mass and skin tissue. Your baby needs a lot of these precious nutrients and vitamins, which is why they always need to eat.

3. Crucial Stage of their Development

Your baby is in the most crucial stage of their life. It's at this stage that they experience several and massive changes in the way their body looks and works. The first six to twelve months of your baby's life is the stage when they are very fragile. Their bones and muscles are still weak, and their body senses are not yet fully functional.

This is the reason why they need a lot of stored food components like protein, carbohydrates, fats, calcium, phosphate, and much more. Your baby’s body is working double or even triple time, which is why they are always hungry and always needs something to eat.

When Will Babies Stop Eating So Frequently?

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1. When they Reach 7 to 10 Months Old

The answer as to when your baby will stop eating so often varies from one baby to another. There are a lot of factors you need to consider when answering this question, such as the baby's weight, the environment they're living in, the food and kind of milk they eat and drink, and so much more.

However, the typical range as to when their rate of consumption declines in pace is when they reach 7 to 10 months old. This is the time when all of their senses are fully functional, and their basic body organs are fully developed. Your baby's rate of growth also slows down as they approach their first year.

2. When You Let Them Eat a Lot in a Single Meal

Your baby will most likely stop eating so frequently when you give them a lot to eat in a single meal. Though it’s proven difficult to feed babies with a lot of food because they easily get full, it would be wise for you to train them to eat this way. It’s all about the training and proper conditioning of their digestive system that’ll make a difference. You can do this by gradually increasing the amount of food you give them every meal.

You can start by giving them 8 to 10 spoons per meal, and then increase it to 15 to 20 spoons three days after. Keep on increasing the number of spoons you feed them until you hit the maximum mark. It’ll also be wise if you don’t let them drink milk before meals. Let them drink milk once they’re done eating.

Babies Eating Every 3 Hours: Is it a Good or a Bad Thing?

There is no problem or serious health issue if your baby is eating every three hours. In fact, this would be better instead of them not having the mood to eat. It's just the normal way their bodies work. Though there are some disadvantages to this such as regularly changing their diapers because they'll poop more often, it isn't a big deal because that's part of taking care of a baby. It's just how life goes.

You can also check out this video to learn more about the ideal eating frequency of your baby:

Conclusion

Babies are no doubt lovable, but there are times when it's quite annoying to feed them almost every hour regularly. The truth is, that’s how their body works. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to reduce the frequency of their eating by training them to eat more in a single meal and by not letting them drink before meals. But at the end of the day, you just have to wait for them to grow up. That’s the time they won’t be eating every three hours.

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Only being 36, I understand that becoming a new mom is incredibly exciting but also challenging. I remember having a multitude of questions when it came to my pregnancy, taking care of a newborn child, and raising little ones. That is why I decided to create this blog [...]

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